2.27.2009

On Wednesday—wait, I need to go back! OK, on Tuesday the fourth of February, Mama and Papa left for two weeks in Hawaii to celebrate—oh no, I really must go back further….On February 25, 1984, two young people united their hearts together and became mister and missus. Yes, my parents! How amazing it is to me to think of God bringing them together at a young age, and then gradually and patiently growing them through the years. They were Christians when they were married, but they had no inkling of the path that God would take them on: moving them hundreds of miles away from their family in Spokane, WA; allowing Mom to become a stay-at-home wife and mother; leading them to home school their children; then leading them to give their family size to him and having six (gasp!) children; and, the newest adventure, starting their own church with a few other families which necessarily requires Papa to preach and become an elder. My Mom often says that if God had shown her this path that she is on at the beginning of her marriage, she would have turned around and run the other direction! This is not because she does not love her life right now, but rather because she recognizes how far God has led her in twenty-five years and praises Him for His mercy, patience, and promise that He will never require more of us than we are able to do at the moment.All of this brings me to Tuesday the fourth, when my parents left for a beautiful two-week vacation in Hawaii. This year is my grandparent’s fiftieth anniversary, so they graciously gifted Mama and Papa with airfare, car rental, and lodging so that all four of them could celebrate together in Hawaii. Lauren and I held down the fort for two weeks and had a blast, although sleep was always a little scarce between homeschooling our siblings, making meals, keeping the house clean, doing college classes, practicing violin and piano, teaching violin and piano, and getting ready for a symphony concert. It was awesome to be reunited with our parents after two weeks and then, this past Wednesday, to celebrate their “real” 25th wedding anniversary!

Happy Anniversary, Mama and Papa! You both are the inspiration for us for when we get married. You have shown us that marriage does include a whole lot of love, kisses, looks, massages, and hand-holding. But you’ve also been transparent and shown us that marriage has to include tears, vomiting children, disagreements, service, and sacrifice. If our marriages are anything like yours, we will consider ourselves blessed. So, again, Happy Anniversary—and may the next twenty-five years be even better than the first.

Note: All the scenery pictures are from Hawaii, courtesy of Mama! The night picture is lava flowing from the mountain, hitting the ocean, and splashing everywhere.

2.24.2009

A blog always seemed like such an egotistical thing to us. Who was it that said the world couldn't revolve around us? (Oh yeah--that was our mother!) This was our way of thinking until several years ago, when we actually began to follow a few friends' blogs, and then the list grew, and then we really began to enjoy catching up on long-lost people's lives. As our own lives have grown busier, we have sadly been unable to spend as much one-on-one time as we would like to with the people who are dear to us. Therefore, we want to keep contact with all of our friends--old, dear, close, or far-away, as well as a few enemies (raise your hand if you belong to that category--we have some reconciliation to do!). In a nutshell, that is our excuse for joining the blogosphere.

However, we also have high hopes for this blog. We pray that it will not just be a way to catch everyone up on our earth-shattering home events, but that the small attempts, mistakes, and joys in our own family will encourage others to brighten their own corners. We chose this title for our blog because it emobdies our desire to be a light for Jesus and encourage others and it hints at our love for music. The namesake hymn "Brighten the Corner Where You Are" gave us shivers when we read it today because it is our heart cry. Indulge us for a moment as we paste these wonderful words here.

Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,Do not wait to shed your light afar;To the many duties ever near you now be true,Brighten the corner where you are.

Refrain:

Brighten the corner where you are!Brighten the corner where you are!Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;Brighten the corner where you are!

Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear,Let not narrow self your way debar;Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer,Brighten the corner where you are.

Here for all yourtalent you may surely find a need,Here reflect the bright and Morning Star;Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed, Brighten the corner where you are.

This song was written by Ina Ogdon, who in 1912 had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to speak to thousands at a camp meeting. Right before she left, however, her father was injured in a car accident (they had those even in 1912?) and, with some disappointment, she gave up everything to tend him. In the end, this song opened every Billy Sunday meeting for 22 years, and Ina never did touch her thousands. Instead, she touched millions, but it all started because she focused on her own corner.

For those of you who read this extremely long post and also for those who skimmed it and now find yourselves on the home stretch (you know who you are!) we'll post a retro rendition of this song from Youtube played on an old record player. It has a 40s era vibe, and it is actually quite fun to listen to (well, the first 5 times, anyways)!

Now, with the requisite introduction out of the way (whew!) we can get blogging! We can't wait to hear your feedback! God bless!